{"id":1725,"date":"2017-05-16T13:31:22","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T17:31:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/idavox.com\/?p=1725"},"modified":"2017-06-22T12:44:05","modified_gmt":"2017-06-22T16:44:05","slug":"amirah-vann-ready-for-her-close-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/idavox.com\/index.php\/2017\/05\/16\/amirah-vann-ready-for-her-close-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Amirah Vann: Ready for Her Close-Up!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kam\u00a0Williams talks to the star of one of the best shows to see on television, WGN’s Underground<\/strong><\/p>\n

KAM WILLIAMS<\/strong><\/p>\n

An actress and singer\/songwriter from Far Rockaway, Queens, Amirah Vann began performing at a young age. Pursuing her passion for performing, she completed her undergraduate study in acting at Fordham University at Lincoln Center before entering a graduate acting program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.<\/p>\n

Soon thereafter, Amirah began working with The Continuum Company under the direction of Jim Calder. She traveled with the company to Florence, Italy, performing in \u201cA Midsummer Night\u2019s Dream,\u201d while collaborating as a vocalist with Jonathan Batiste (\u201cThe Late Show\u201d) to develop original music for the production. She also performed in the company\u2019s popular production of \u201cPericles.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Upon graduation, Amirah to participate in a variety of developmental musical workshops, including \u201cKingdom,\u201d \u201cHoller If You Hear Me,\u201d \u201cSweethearts of Swing,\u201d \u201cThe Lady Killers Love Story\u201d and \u201cCubamor.\u201d She made her Off-Broadway debut in \u201cLaughing Pictures\u201d at the Flea Theatre, and continued her stage career in \u201cTrouble In Mind,\u201d \u201cThe Mountaintop,\u201d \u201cVanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike,\u201d \u201cWax Wings\u201d and \u201cBlueprint.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She began her television career in roles on \u201cGirls” (HBO), \u201cBelieve” (NBC) and “Mozart in the Jungle\u201d (Amazon). Her film credits include Tracers, And So It Goes, Don\u2019t Worry Baby, Once More with Feeling and Three and a Half Thoughts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amirah was recently nominated for a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her work in \u201cUnderground,\u201d WGN America’s critically acclaimed hit series. Here, she talks about her role on the show as “Ernestine.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Kam Williams: <\/b>Hi Amirah, thanks for the interview.<\/p>\n

Amirah Vann: <\/b>It’s my pleasure, Kam. Thank you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW:<\/b> What interested you in Underground?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Misha Green and Joe Pokaski’s writing. It’s smart, dynamic, and bold!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>Congratulations on your character’s expanded role during the second season.<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Thank you. Ms. Ernestine is such an amazing, complex woman that I was thrilled to get the opportunity to go deeper into her story.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>How would you describe her in 25 words or less?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>She’s like so many women I know: strong, resilient, wise and beautifully flawed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>Has her plight ever struck an emotional chord in you?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Most definitely! These are our ancestors, and what they had to endure is almost unimaginable. But the fact remains that Ms. Ernestine found the courage to get up and face another day. So, it is my duty to share her courage and her humanity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>What message do you want people to take away from the series?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Let’s all be soldiers! Join me on the front lines. I am arming myself with a voice that speaks for equality and justice, a spirit of love, and a walk with God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>AALBC.com founder Troy Johnson asks: What was the last book you read?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>God, Dr. Buzzard, and the Bolito Man<\/a><\/em>\u00a0by Cornelia Bailey. It beautifully reflects both the Gullah Geechee Nation, my African-American father’s history, and my mother’s stories of Puerto Rico.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW:<\/b> What is your favorite dish to cook?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>My favorite meal is pollo guisado with arroz con habichuelas and a side salad with avocado, and stewed chicken with rice and beans.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>Sherry Gillam would like to know what is the most important life lesson you’ve learned so far?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Live honoring your truth, not in response to others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Daring to pursue my dreams. It’s not such a crazy idea y’all!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Leadership that reflects the diverse citizens they represent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW:<\/b> The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Hmmm… That’s tough. I can say I love baggy jeans and a hoodie as much as I do an elegant dress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW:<\/b> The Anthony Mackie question: Is <\/b>there anything that you promised yourself you\u2019d do if you became famous, that you still haven\u2019t done yet?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Give back! Love doing that and will continue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW:<\/b> Harriet Pakula-Teweles asks: With so many classic films being redone, is there a remake you’d like to star in?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>I would love to be in a remake of Set it Off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>Judyth Piazza asks: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?<\/p>\n

AV:<\/b> They pressed on through the storm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>Finally, what\u2019s in your wallet?<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>A Metro card. Always ready to jump on the train.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

KW: <\/b>Thanks again for the time, Amirah, and good luck with Underground.<\/p>\n

AV: <\/b>Thank you, Kam.
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